DIVING IS BUNAKEN

Diving Bunaken means diving North Sulawesi, one of the most pristine nature areas in the world. Relax and unwind on our tropical island beach while you enjoy a refreshing drink and soak up an amazing orange sunset, or experience the fine seafood cuisine an friendly nature of the Bunaken Island villagers.

Every Bunaken dive is a great experience. For sheer exhilaration, join us for some blue-water drift dives down with the really BIG critters, as you drift effortlessly along the world-renowned vertical walls of the Bunaken Island and Manado Tua Marine Park. A time you will never forget, diving in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia's growing system of marine parks. The park covers a total surface area of 89,065 hectares, 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water.

The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists.

The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and harbor some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Pick any of group of interest - corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high.

Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae.

This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies.

Biologists believe that the abundance of hard corals is crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. Hard corals are the architects of the reefs, without them, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals (folious, branching, massives, etc.) for shelter and egg-laying.

Some 20,000 people live on the natural resources of Bunaken National Marine Park. Although there are inevitable conflicts between resource protection and use by people, the Indonesian government is taking a fairly unusual and pragmatic approach to park management.

The idea is to promote wise resource use while preventing overexploitation. Local communities, government officials, dive resort operators, local nature groups, tourists and scientists have played an active role in developing exclusive zones for diving, wood collection, fishing and other forms of utilization.

If successful, Bunaken Marine Park will stand as an important example of how Sulawesi, and the rest of Indonesia, can work to protect its natural resources.

KECAK DANCE

The Kecak dance is one of the most famous of Balinese dances. It is unusual because it has no musical accompaniment like many other Indonesian dances do, the rhythm of the dance is produced by the chanting 'monkey' chorus.

Instead, a troupe of over 150 bare-chested men serve as the chorus, making a wondrous cacophony of synchronized "chak-achak-achak" clicking sounds while swaying their bodies and waving their hands .From that chanting noise of "Cak-cak-cak", then it gave the dance its name Kecak.

What makes the Kecak such a fascinating dance to watch are the fifty or so men in the checkered pants. They are both the choir and the props, providing the music for the story in a series of constant vocal chants that change with the mood of the actors.

They don't sit still, either, they wave their arms to simulate fire, and reposition themselves around the stage to represent wind and fire, prison cells, and unseen hand of protection from the gods.

The dance is played in five acts and lasts roughly 45 minutes. It taken from the Hindu epic Ramayana, which tells the story of Prince Rama and his rescue of Princess Sita, who has been kidnapped by the evil King of Lanka, Rahwana and somehow with the help of the white monkey army, Rama rescues his wife and defeats the evil Rahwana.

Attending a Kecak recital is a must for any visitor to Bali. It is a wondrous experience, and a window into the musical and artistic culture that make the Balinese a special people.

BEDOYO KETAWANG DANCE

The most famous of all Javanese court dances is the bedoyo ketawang, performed in the Surakarta palace on the anniversary of the Susuhunan's coronation.

This is a sacred and private ritual dance said to have been instituted by Sultan Agung in the early 1600s, the greatest of the Mataram kings.

It celebrates a reunion between the descendant of the dynasty's founder, Panembahan Senapati, and the powerful goddess of the South Seas, Kyai Loro Kidul.

Nine female palace guards perform the stately bedoyo ketawang, attired in royal wedding dress, and so sacred is it that they may rehearse only once every five weeks on a given day.

Until recently, no outsiders were permitted to witness the performance, for it is claimed that Loro Kidul herself attends and afterwards "weds" the king.

The other important Javanese court dance, Serimpi, was traditionally performed only by princesses or daughters of the ruling family.

It portrays one or two duelling pairs of Amazons who move in unison, fighting with dainty daggers and tiny bows and arrows. Following the of dance schools in the early 1900s, it became the standard taught to all young women.

The reliefs at Borobudur, depicting popular dances and musical entertainment, suggest that dance once figured prominently in Javanese life. However, outside of the courts, very little dancing remains in the area today.

KOMODO AND KOMODO ISLAND

The biggest lizard in this world, it's sometimes called komodo dragon. There is nothing dragon like about the komodo, though. Admittedly a komodo (Varanus komodoensis) is huge an adult can grow to be 3 meters high with approximately 70 kgs in weight, but it is not as fierce as many people thought.

For instance, komodo dragons do not pursue their preys actively or show vicious streak in their coup de grace. Checking on a komodo dragon's mouth and teeth must be every dentist's nightmare, for they are incredibly smelly and full of germs. A komodo dragon usually eats the youngs/wounded animals. But bigger komodo dragons are known to attack bigger livestocks.

A bite from a komodo dragon is enough. Then the komodo dragon will follow its prey for days, if necessary. The germs are bound to take effect. When the prey dies, the komodo dragon feasts.

Located between Sumbawa and Flores island, Komodo National Park was founded as a conservation for komodo dragons. Six years after the establishment in 1980, UNESCO declared that this park is a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve. Komodo

National Park consists of three main islands, i.e. Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, also other smaller islands. One of the richest marine environments, this park is also the home for at least 1,000 species of fish, hundreds of species of reef-building, coral, and 70 types of sponges. You can also find sharks, manta rays, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and dugongs in this park.

Getting There
You can go to Lombok or Flores island first, then embark on a boat/ship to this island.

Where to Stay
You can contact the above tour operators for more information. You can also plan to stay in Bali, and spend a whole day for visiting Komodo Island.

Moving Around
On foot. If you join a tour, the tour will see to everything, including the transportation.

Dining Guide
Traditional restaurants and small cafes.

Souvenir Tips
Wooden carving resembling komodo and other animals.

Other things to See or Do

See komodo dragons live even in action, if you're lucky enough to watch their feeding time (officers of this park supply food like fresh chicken to komodo dragons).

Marvel at the diversity of the plants and animals.
Swim on the pristine beaches.
Snorkel to glimpse the diversity of the marine life. Dont forget to Visit a traditional village in order to observe their way of life.

RAJA AMPAT (THE FOUR KINGS)

The Raja Ampat, or “Four Kings,” archipelago encompasses more than 9.8 million acres of land

and sea off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. Located in the Coral Triangle, the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity, the seas around Raja Ampat possibly hold the richest variety of species in the world.

The area’s massive coral colonies show that its reefs are resistant to threats like coral bleaching and disease —threats that now jeopardize the survival of corals around the world. In addition, Raja Ampat’s strong ocean currents sweep coral larvae across the Indian and Pacific Oceans to replenish other reef ecosystems. Raja Ampat’s coral diversity, resilience to threats, and ability to replenish reefs make it a global priority for marine protection.

Apart from the reefs, this area also has some of the most stunning top-side views in the world; lime stone islands that reminds you of, but are even more dramatic than, the famous Rock Islands of Palau; big cathedral-like caves inside the islands; quiet lagoons with crystal white sand and water in every shade of blue and green; bird life such as the Birds of Paradise that brought Alfred Russel Wallace to this region over a century ago; the most stunning sunsets you'll ever see; and - almost no tourists...

One reason why I decided to prepare this site was that you won't find any information on this area in standard Indonesian travel guide books such as Lonely Planet. The Raja Ampats, located west of the Birds Head Peninsula, are administratively part of Papua Barat/Iran Jaya, but they are very different from the rest of west Papua, which the travel guides are focused on. Geographically and when it comes to nature, history and culture, the Ampats are in many ways closer to Moluku.


Raja Ampat* means "the four 'kings'", a name dating back to the 15th century, when the Sultanate of Tidore - one of the muslim sultanates in the original Maluku west of Halmahera - appointed four local "rajas" in Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo.

Even earlier, Seramese traders from small islands off the eastern tip of Seram had established trade settlements, sosolot, throughout the region, exchanging cloth, beads, and other products from western Indonesia for trepang, plumes, forest products and slaves from Papua. There where also a strong ties to the island of Biak east of the Bird's Head Peninsula.

Rock paintings found in caves in Misool and in on the west coast of the Birds Head, as well as bronze artifacts, show that trade with other parts of Asia was already established 2 - 3 000 years ago.

Going further back, it should be noted that just 10 000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age, most of what is currently sea in this area was still land, roughly corresponding to the lighter blue parts in the Raja Ampat Map. This means that most of the early coastal settlements in this area are now submerged, and will require underwater archeology to be found and explored.

BALI THE LAND OF GOD

Bali’s population of over 3,000,000 souls spread over the whole island, including those in the smaller islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, Serangan and Menjangan Island.

The overwhelming majority of Balinese are Hindus, with the increasing number on non-Hindu migrating from the closest neighboring islands of Java and Lombok.

The coastal areas in the south are the most populous area with over 370,000 people living in various professions in the capital of Denpasar. Farming has been the primary way of living in Balinese life.

Where else fishing, trading and craftsmanship are also in fashion from generation to generation. Yet with the fast growing of tourism since past few decades, young people start to build up a new touch in their living culture.

Life in Bali is very communal under the organization of villages. Temple ceremonies, marriage, cremation, farming and even the creative art festivals are decided by the local community institution called “Banjar”. The responsibilities in the day-to-day life are normally administered by both the Banjar and the government.

The local government mostly responsible for schools, health clinics, hospitals and roads, and Banjar is responsible for all other aspects of life. There is another association exists in the banjar named “Subak” that concerns to the production of rice and organizes the complex irrigation system.

Every family who owns a rice field must be a member of their local Subak, which then ensures that every member gets his fair distribution of water.

A banjar consists of an average of 50 to 150 family members, owning a meeting venue called the Bale Banjar, which is used for regular gatherings and a center for local gamelan orchestras and drama groups

CLIMATE

With sunshine shining throughout the year, Bali has a tropical monsoon climate, with pleasant day temperatures between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainy season starts from October to March, when the West monsoon brings heavy showers and high humidity.

June to September is considered the driest season, with low humidity and it can be fairly cold in the evenings, the best time for any outdoor activities.

Something unique can be found about climate in Bali. Even when it rains most times in the most parts of Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the "Bukit", the hill south of Jimbaran.

On the other hand, you may expect cloudy skies and drips throughout the year in Ubud and the mountainous areas. Most interestingly perhaps, the international weather reports for "Denpasar" or "Bali" mention showers and rain storms all times of the year. In higher regions such as in Bedugul or Kintamani you'll expect to wear either a sweater or jacket when evening falls.

AMAZING SUNRISES AT DIENG PLATEU

Dieng plateu holds thousands of natural charms and has a rich ancient heritage. One of the many activities that tourists usually participate in on the plateu, other than indulging in the splendor of ancient temples, is watching the sun rise.

If lucky, in one day you can see the "golden sunrise" and the "silver sunrise". Tremendously beautiful. Although administratively it is part of Wonosobo regency, the plateu is located at the crossroads between Wonosobo, Banjarnegara regency, Temanggung regency, Kendal regency and Batang regency.

To be able to watch sunrise, you have to be at the Sceneries Shelter at Tieng village, some five kilometers from downtown Wonosobo. It takes less than 30 minutes to get there.

If leaving the town early at around two or three in the morning, the morning chill and the thick air will be another challenge to beat for the post sits at 1,700 meter above sea level.

However, the biting air will be compensated for with the scenic view. As we descend to the post, dots of light from Wonosobo and its nearby cities form a dramatic panorama.

Nearest villages like Kejajar and Rowojali look like they are standing behind a curtain of morning mist which is slowly falling from the dark sky. The color of life changes every second. Gradually, Sindoro mountain and Kendeng mountain will also be seen afar.

If the sky is clear sunrise can be enjoyed thoroughly. First, in the darkness, we can see the pinkish sky accentuated with strokes of golden rays of the sun -- really golden. Soon, the sky turns orange and the sun shows its round shape.

In a matter of a second, the chill is replaced with a friendly warm wind, blowing off the mist. When the curtain of mist has been completely drawn, there is a sea of lush green farm around us. You can hear the sound of chirping birds and farmers' chattering in the distance.

But don't get too absorbed in this rare beauty for we have another sunrise to chase at the Dieng temple compound, around ten minutes from the Sceneries Shelter.

The moment may not be as spectacular as the first, but it has an entirely different flavor. The sun rises from behind clusters of temples, which sit 2,093 above sea level.

From behind the Hindu temples, if, again, the sky is clear, the sun shines only one ray. It is silvery -- that's why it's called silver sunrise -- and penetrates through the old stones of the temples.

THE WONDERFUL OF ROTE ISLAND

Located in East Nusa Tenggara, Roti Island lies between the Indian Ocean on the west and the Timor Sea on the east. It is 80 km long from southwest-northeast and about 23 km wide and has an area of 467 1,210 square km. Roti island is part of Kupang Regency but has its own regency.

Along with some other nearby small islands, such as Ndao, it formed the kabupaten (regency) of Roti Ndao. The capital of Roti is Ba’a, which is located on the western side of the island.

The village of Pepela is located on the north-eastern end of Roti and on the southern side of a large sheltered bay. Here you will sandy beaches and mangroves, while coral reefs are located in its centre. The uninhabited Dana Island (also called Ndana) just south of Rote is the southern most island of Indonesia.

Roti island is beautiful with hills, valleys and escarpments but it is underwater where the beauty lies. Here the diving is good with spectacular walls and caverns, and a huge variety of marine life. Agriculture is the main form of employment.

Fishing is also important, especially in the eastern village of Papela. In the village of Pepela, the sandy beach drops away steeply providing a deep-water anchorage close inshore. The bay is attractive and provides year round shelter from the strong easterly and westerly monsoonal winds.

There is excellent surfing in the south around the village of Nembralla. It has a beautiful beach that offers a natural panorama and fascinating sunsets. Nembralla Beach is one of the very few beaches ideal for surfing.

June to October are the best months for surfing and don’t be surprised to be sharing the waves with surfers from around the world. The architecture of Roti Island is unique and so is their exquisite Ikat weaving.

Roti has many historical attractions including fine antique Chinese porcelains, as well as ancient arts and traditions. The popular traditional music instrument Sasando comes from Roti Island.

SWIMMING WITH SHARKS ON KARIMUN JAWA

Karimun Jawa and 26 other islands are a district of Central Java's Jepara regency, divided into three subdistricts with a total population of some 4,000 families. Most are fishermen.

Located north of Jepara, Karimun Jawa is the main inhabited island, but there are also settlements on nearby Kemojan as well as Parang and Nyamuk islands.
Public facilities are limited, with only one junior high school (most students continue their education in Jepara).

Telephone service is limited to Karimun Jawa, with cellular phone access a goal for the future. But part of the islands' potential tourist attraction is this remote, undisturbed quality, a relatively short distance from Java, one of the world's most crowded islands.

There are many diving sites around the islands, including shipwrecks. Just across from the Karimun Jawa harbor, there is also a shark nursery on Menjangan Besar Island, which currently houses 10 black sharks.

"It is quite easy to take care of these baby sharks," said Mrs. Sum who is responsible for the nursery. "We only need to feed them 3-4 times a week, with 10 kilograms of fish at each feeding time." She added that Jakarta's Seaworld had acquired two white sharks from the nursery for its collection.

In contrast to white sharks, black ones are more passive and calm. A snorkling session with them proved that they are indeed retiring creatures. In fact, they swam away.

There are also barracuda and carp in the nursery. "These fish are for guests who are staying in the cottages," she said. The cottages are simple and cheap, costing only Rp 45,000 (US$5.48) per night.

Karimun Jawa is home to the Kura-Kura Hotel and Hotel Wisata. Kura-Kura Hotel is owned by the Central Java provincial administration and managed by Kura-Kura Resort.
Hotel Wisata is owned and managed by the Jepara regency administration.

A Kura-Kura Hotel staff member, Syaiful, told The Jakarta Post that the local administration should focus on developing the area to draw tourists. "Providing hotels alone is not enough and the authorities must also improve the access here," he said.

"I heard that they will operate a fast ferry next year which only takes three hours instead of eight." The local fishermen also rent out their boats for visitors to cruise around the islands, with fares ranging from Rp 100,000 to Rp 200,000 depending on the length of the ride.

Promotions are needed to get the word out to prospective visitors

For those who do make it to these parts, there are not many souvenirs to choose from. There are handicrafts made of seashells, such as key chains, pins and boxes, but the quality needs to be improved.

The island is also known for Dewa Daru wood which is believed to have powers as an amulet. The problem is the wood is believed to be so sacred that no ships or planes will carry it on board.

A special ceremony is mandated to ask permission from the spirits who are said to guard the island and the wood. With or without tempting souvenirs, a visit to this pristine island is worth all the hassle of getting there.

IJEN CRATER, A PERILOUS BEAUTY

Behind the beautiful panorama of Mount Ijen, with one of the world's largest craters, in Bondowoso, East Java, lies a health hazard to the surrounding community.

The crater lake of Kawah Ijen is seen through the caldera's rising sulfur fumes. At least 50,000 people live in an area threatened by acidic water from the crater lake permeating through their wells.

For both local and foreign tourists, Kawah Ijen is a unique attraction. It is one of the few volcanoes in the country that has a crater lake. Of the country's more than 700 mountains, only a small percentage have such lakes, including Mount Rinjani (3,726 meters above sea level) in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and the Kelimutu range in Flores.

Visitors are prohibited from approaching the crater, where a lava dome has emerged as a "mini Kelud", measuring 700 square meters, with a 130-meter diameter.

According to vulcanologists, the Kelud dome is a unique phenomenon in Indonesia's volcanic history and still has the potential for a devastating eruption.

Kawah Ijen is easily accessible by motor vehicle -- the best route is via Bondowoso and eastward through Wonosari to Sempol village and finally via Paltuding village.

This route covers 70 kilometers of smooth asphalt roads. It can also be reached through the town of Banyuwangi -- only 38 kilometers to the west of the villages of Licin, Jambu and Paltuding -- but the roads are quite steep.

For a morning climb, tourists can spend the night at the coffee estate guest house of PTP Nusantara XII state company in Kalisat, Jampit, at an altitude of 1,200 meters. A tourist inn, Pondok Wisata, also offers accommodation in Paltuding, besides a camping ground.

Masks, glasses and wet handkerchiefs are needed for protection against toxic fumes from the crater. By following the path worn down by sulfur miners, climbers will not get lost.

At the peak, a green crater can be observed at a height of 2,368 meters above sea level, with a total area of 5.5 hectares and caldera walls 300 to 500 meters high. The lake's water, totaling 200 million cubic meters in volume, can reach 200 degrees centigrade. With a depth of 200 meters, the lake is so acidic that it can dissolve clothes and human fingers.

TEMPLE NEAR JOGJA

The most famous of Indonesia's temples is this huge Buddhist pyramid. This is a Buddhism's largest shrine in Indonesia, built in the 9th century. Located north west of Yogyakarta, Borobudur Temple was completed in the second half of the ninth century.

Like the Hindu temple complexes Prambanan and the Dieng plateau, Borobudur was unknown and neglected for almost a thousand years, covered under thick layers of volcanic ash. From a far Borobudur Temple looks like a huge but ordinary stone construction.


But from nearby we can see that it consists of hundreds of wonderfully detailed statues and sculptures, representing Buddhist teachings mixed with images of Javanese life of a thousand years ago.

PRAMBANAN TEMPLE
Prambanan is a ten-century old Hindu temple. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, locally called Candi Loro Jonggrang, which means 'slender virgin.'

From an architectural point of view this beautifully sculptured spire, fifty meters high, indeed resembles a 'slender virgin.' Like the Buddhist stupa in Borobudur Temple, Prambanan was abandoned when the Buddhist and Hindu Javanese inhabitants moved to East Java.

Seventeen kilometers east of Yogyakarta, it is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century. Its parapets are adorned with a bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story.

The first open-air theater on the southern side of the temple was built in 1960 and the new theater on the western side of the temple in 1988. During full moon evenings in the month from May to October, the Ramayana ballet is performed right here. The temple complex of Prambanan lies among green fields and villages.

It has eight shrines, of which the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The main temple of Shiva rises to a height of 130 feet and houses the magnificent statue of Shiva's consort, Durga.

BEAUTIFUL YOGYAKARTA

Yogyakarta or simply Yogya, is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. Located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano & It stretches till the Indian Ocean, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram., from which present day Yogyakarta has inherited the best of traditions.

The city itself has a special charm which seldom fails to captivate the visitor. This province is one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia. The city came into being in 1755, after the division of Mataram into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, the wayang kulit leather puppet theater and other expressions of traditional art will keep the visitor spellbound. Local craftsmen excel in the arts of batiks, silver and leather work.

Around the city of Yogyakarta, is the most famous part of Java and is, in fact, its cultural centre. This is in part because of the presence there of a variety of religious influences-Buddhist, Hindu, and other indigenous beliefs, which resulted in the construction of the impressive temples of Borobudur, Prambanan and the Dieng temple complex.

The 300 year old city of Yogyakarta is the cultural heart of Java. Here also is Indonesia's oldest palace 'The Kraton,' still the domicile of Jogya's royalty. Even now the current Sultan of Yogyakarta retains remarkable political prestige.

Yogyakarta offers an abundance of Javanese art, painting, silverwork, batik handcraft, traditional Javanese dances, as well as contemporary art. The city is the cultural centre not only of Java, but of the whole of Indonesia.
From Yogyakarta one can travel easily to the Borobudur Temple and Prambanan temples, which are half-day trips from the city. Yogyakarta is situated between the foot of the still-active Merapi volcano and the mystical Indian Ocean, home of 'Loro Kidul,' Queen of the South Seas.

Yogyakarta is often called the main gateway to the center of Java where it is geographically located. There is daily air service to Yogya from Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali as well as regular train service and easy accessibility by road.

NGAYOGYAKARTA HADININGRAT PALACE

The palace court with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture lies in the center of the city. It was founded by Prince Mangkubumi in 1755. The Prince was then called Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. He chose the right location of the compound between the Winongo River and the Code River.

The palace stretches out from north to south.The front yard is called alun-alun Utara (the North Square), and the back yard is called Alun-alun Selatan (the South Square). The layout of the buildings shows that the Palace, the commemorative column and Mount Merapi lie in one line.


The palace meeting hall is called the Pagelaran, where formal meetings of palace officials are held, while the "Manguntur Tingkil" hall is the place where the Sultan is seated. The palace visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of the kraton in former times by visiting the life-size diorama of wedding ceremonies on the palace meeting hall, performed by puppets which are intentionally arranged to create such an atmosphere. Sets of Javanese musical instruments, antiques and heirlooms have made the palace of Yogyakarta worth to visit.

WATER CASTLE

Built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I just west of the kraton, part of this pleasure garden and castle is at present no more than an intriguing collection of ruins, pools, arches and underground passages enclosed by massive walls, however, the central courtyard with the nymph-baths has been restored.

The Water Castle is located in the older part of the city within walking distance from the Bird Market. A number of batik workshops line the avenue leading to the pleasure garden's entrance.

KOTA GEDE

Kotagede, about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, is a neat little town which was once the seat of the mighty Mataram empire. In this old palace town with its walled-in houses, the graves of the first rulers of Mataram are still to be found. Since the 1930s, however, Kotagede has become famous for being the center of the Yogya silverwork industry.

Kotagede is easily reached by "andong", the four wheeled horse-drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car. There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver being transformed into beautiful works of art known as "Yogya Silver".

BATIK RESEARCH CENTER
Situated on the eastern outskirts of the city, it has an interesting permanent exhibition of batiks in classic and modern designs. The process of batik can also be seen here, both the hand drawn and hand stamped.

THE MYSTERIOUS TORAJA

Indonesia has many beautiful places, also amazing islands. In South Sulawesi province, there are several location, that we may say it like heaven on earth. Such as Tana Toraja regency (Land of Toraja) or we say it Toraja.

The Toraja are located on a mountainous region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Currently their population is approximately 650,000 people. Most of the population is Christian, and others are Moslem and Animist. The Indonesian government has recognized this animist belief as Aluk To Dolo ("Way of the Ancestors").

The word toraja comes from the Bugeness Language as "to riaja", meaning "people of the uplands". Torajans are renowned for their elaborate funeral rites, burial sites carved into rocky cliffs, massive peaked-roof traditional houses known as Tongkonan and unique wood carvings.

Toraja funeral rites are important social events, usually attended by hundreds of people and lasting for several days.

THE TONGKONAN (The House)

A tongkonan with colorful decorations on the wall. Tongkonan are the traditional Torajan ancestral houses. They stand high on wooden piles, topped with a layered split-bamboo roof shaped in a sweeping curved arc, and they are incised with red, black, and yellow detailed wood carvings on the exterior walls. The word "tongkonan" comes from the Torajan tongkon ("to sit").

Tongkonan are the center of Torajan social life. The rituals associated with the tongkonan are important expressions of Torajan spiritual life, and therefore all family members are impelled to participate, because symbolically the tongkonan represents links to their ancestors and to living and future kin.

The construction of a tongkonan is laborious work and is usually done with the help of the extended family. There are three types of tongkonan. The tongkonan layuk is the house of the highest authority, used as the "center of government".

The tongkonan pekamberan belongs to the family members who have some authority in local traditions. Ordinary family members reside in the tongkonan batu. The exclusivity to the nobility of the tongkonan is diminishing as many Torajan commoners find lucrative employment in other parts of Indonesia. As they send back money to their families, they enable the construction of larger tongkonan.

TRADITIONAL WOOD CARVINGS

A Torajan wood carving: each panel symbolizes goodwill. Each carving receives a special name, and common motifs are animals and plants that symbolize some virtue. For example, water plants and animals, such as crabs, buffalo and water weeds, are commonly found to symbolize fertility.

Regularity and order are common features in Toraja wood carving as well as abstracts and geometrical designs. Nature is frequently used as the basis of Toraja's ornaments, because nature is full of abstractions and geometries with regularities and ordering.

A UNIQIUE BURIAL SITES

Another component of the ritual is the slaughter of buffalo and they say it "tedong bonga" mean is albino buffalo. The more powerful the person who died, the more buffalo are slaughtered at the death feast.

There are three methods of burial: using coffin may be laid in a cave or in a carved stone grave, or hung on a cliff. . A wood-carved effigy, called tau tau, is usually placed in the cave looking out over the land. The coffin of a baby or child may be hung from ropes on a cliff face or from a tree. This hanging grave usually lasts for years, until the ropes rot and the coffin falls to the ground.